The RF power conversion calculator is designed to simplify the process of converting between various RF power units commonly used in radio frequency applications and telecommunications systems. Understanding RF power calculation formulas is fundamental for RF engineers working with transmitters, receivers, and signal analysis equipment. The RF power to voltage calculator enables conversions between power units (mW, W, dBm, dBW) and voltage units (mV, V), utilising Ohm's law.
This calculator incorporates the logarithmic RF power calculation formula:
PdBm = 10 × log₁₀(PmW/1mW)
PdBW = 10 × log₁₀(PW/1W)
Here are all the RF Power to Voltage Calculator Conversions, with Examples
1. Watts (W) to Milliwatts (mW)
Formula: P_mW = P_W × 1000
Example: Convert 0.5 W to mW P_mW = 0.5 × 1000 = 500 mW
2. Milliwatts (mW) to Watts (W)
Formula: P_W = P_mW ÷ 1000
Example: Convert 250 mW to W P_W = 250 ÷ 1000 = 0.25 W
3. Watts (W) to dBW
Formula: P_dBW = 10 × log₁₀(P_W)
Example: Convert 1 W to dBW P_dBW = 10 × log₁₀(1) = 10 × 0 = 0 dBW
Example: Convert 10 W to dBW P_dBW = 10 × log₁₀(10) = 10 × 1 = 10 dBW
4. dBW to Watts (W)
Formula: P_W = 10(P_dBW/10)
Example: Convert 3 dBW to W P_W = 10(3/10) = 100.3 = 1.995 W ≈ 2 W
5. Milliwatts (mW) to dBm
Formula: P_dBm = 10 × log₁₀(P_mW)
Example: Convert 100 mW to dBm P_dBm = 10 × log₁₀(100) = 10 × 2 = 20 dBm
Example: Convert 1 mW to dBm P_dBm = 10 × log₁₀(1) = 10 × 0 = 0 dBm
6. dBm to Milliwatts (mW)
Formula: P_mW = 10(P_dBm/10)
Example: Convert 13 dBm to mW P_mW = 10(13/10) = 101.3 = 19.95 mW ≈ 20 mW
Example: Convert -10 dBm to mW P_mW = 10(-10/10) = 10-1 = 0.1 mW
7. dBW to dBm
Formula: P_dBm = P_dBW + 30
Example: Convert 5 dBW to dBm P_dBm = 5 + 30 = 35 dBm
8. dBm to dBW
Formula: P_dBW = P_dBm - 30
Example: Convert 40 dBm to dBW P_dBW = 40 - 30 = 10 dBW
Power-to-Voltage Conversions (Z = 50Ω)
9. Watts (W) to Volts (V)
Formula: V = √(P_W × Z) where Z = 50Ω
Example: Convert 2 W to V V = √(2 × 50) = √100 = 10 V
10. Volts (V) to Watts (W)
Formula: P_W = V² ÷ Z where Z = 50Ω
Example: Convert 7.07 V to W P_W = (7.07)² ÷ 50 = 50 ÷ 50 = 1 W
11. Milliwatts (mW) to Millivolts (mV)
Formula: V_mV = √(P_mW × Z × 1000) where Z = 50Ω
Example: Convert 100 mW to mV V_mV = √(100 × 50 × 1000) = √5,000,000 = 2236 mV
12. Millivolts (mV) to Milliwatts (mW)
Formula: P_mW = (V_mV)² ÷ (Z × 1000) where Z = 50Ω
Example: Convert 1000 mV to mW P_mW = (1000)² ÷ (50 × 1000) = 1,000,000 ÷ 50,000 = 20 mW
13. Milliwatts (mW) to Volts (V)
Formula: V = √(P_mW × Z ÷ 1000) where Z = 50Ω
Example: Convert 200 mW to V V = √(200 × 50 ÷ 1000) = √10 = 3.16 V
14. Volts (V) to Milliwatts (mW)
Formula: P_mW = (V² × 1000) ÷ Z where Z = 50Ω
Example: Convert 5 V to mW P_mW = (5² × 1000) ÷ 50 = 25,000 ÷ 50 = 500 mW
Voltage Unit Conversions
15. Volts (V) to Millivolts (mV)
Formula: V_mV = V × 1000
Example: Convert 1.5 V to mV V_mV = 1.5 × 1000 = 1500 mV
16. Millivolts (mV) to Volts (V)
Formula: V = V_mV ÷ 1000
Example: Convert 750 mV to V V = 750 ÷ 1000 = 0.75 V
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Commonly Asked Questions on RF Power Conversion Calculator
⇥ Why do I need to convert between different RF power units?
Different RF equipment and specifications use various units. For example:
- Transmitter power is often specified in Watts or dBW
- Receiver sensitivity is typically given in dBm
- Signal generators may display power in dBm or mV
- Test equipment might show readings in different units than your design specifications
⇥ What impedance value does this calculator use?
This calculator uses a standard impedance (Z) of 50 ohms, which is the most common impedance in RF systems.
⇥ What's the difference between dBm and dBW?
dBm is power expressed in decibels relative to 1 milliwatt (1 mW)
dBW is power expressed in decibels relative to 1 watt (1 W)
The relationship is: dBm = dBW + 30
⇥ Why do we use logarithmic units (dB) in RF applications?
- Logarithmic units are preferred because:
- They simplify calculations when dealing with gains and losses (addition instead of multiplication)
- They can represent very large power ranges in manageable numbers
- They align with how we perceive signal strength changes
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